The Rejected Robots #1 – Binocular Robo Scope Man

By 1984, it was clear that Takara’s long-running Microman toyline was at an end. Transformers G1 was having huge success in the United States, and Takara was gearing up to follow suit for 1985. However, a few more transforming robots were released in the Microchange sub-series. Transformers picked up almost all of these designs, as famous characters like Megatron, Soundwave, and even Bumblebee. For some reason, only a few were left behind, such as Binocular Robo Scope Man.The front of Binoculars robo, with his various accessories. I didn’t attach the strap for fear of breaking it upon trying to remove it.
Scope Man is right along the same vein as Camera Robo Microx (Reflector) and Microscope Robo (Perceptor): a child-scaled “real” item with rudimentary plastic lenses. Scope man comes with a strange group of accessories, including removable fists, an “Optical Bazooka” containing a kaleidoscope-like lens, and a detachable rubber neck strap. His binoculars mode is somewhat sci-fi influenced, but still pays some attention to detail. The lenses are ringed with large chrome areas, and the body is textured like the rubber gripping area of a real device.This is the end you’d look into – if your eyes were an inch apart and you had no nose.
His transformation is about on par with his contemporaries in complexity. His arms are concealed within the lens tubes, and revealed as the outer shell is extended down to form the parachute-pants-like legs. His fists plug into the ends of the tube-like arms, and his head rotates up from his chest. The robot’s bizarre proportions are unlike any G1 toys of the time, and perhaps the reason why he was not selected for inclusion. His head features a silver-painted face, with small antennas and a mouth cover typical of the period.Robo Scope in robot mode, holding his Optical Bazooka. This KO version refers to the weapon as Miracle Scope. It’s a “miracle” if you can see anything through it.
The sample we’ve photographed is actually a close counterfeit from “Practical Micro Change Series” released in Western countries. His box is even designed somewhat like the Takara box. The knockoff box eschews Takara’s box art in favor of a product shot, however.This is where the ruse of using a knockoff is revealed, but this toy still brings us “fun and knowledge!”The instructions are printed on the back, complete with all the silly Engrish you could want. Don’t forget, “You can also look only with the Miracle Scope!”
So, the big question remains: what if? What if Robo Scope Man had been selected for Transformers? What faction would he have been part of, what would his name be? I feel as though Movie 1‘s Farsight T-20 may give a suggestion, but who knows? Leave a comment on how you would have included Robo Scope Man into G1.

If they made him an Autobot, he could have been a good nemesis for Reflector. I could see this guy being a mail away exclusive too. Maybe, like Reflector, the animation model would have taken major liberties, making him look better.